Houston Texans fans cheer on their defense during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans fans cheer on their defense during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / ... more

A hard hit from New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) separates Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) from the ball for an incomplete pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

A hard hit from New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) separates Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) from the ball for an incomplete pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football ... more

Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean (18) is upended by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) and cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) as he makes a catch during the second half of a preseason NFL football game at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean (18) is upended by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) and cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) as he makes a catch during the second half of a preseason NFL ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt watches the pre game ceremonies before a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt watches the pre game ceremonies before a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Houston. ( Smiley N. ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Saints head coach Sean Payton paces the sidelines during the first quarter.

Saints head coach Sean Payton paces the sidelines during the first quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive end Delano Johnson tries to knock down a pass by Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin.

Texans defensive end Delano Johnson tries to knock down a pass by Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin.

The NFL leader in rushing attempts (351) and touchdowns (17) last season won’t play Thursday in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington and so will miss all four preseason games while recovering from calf and back injuries.

Foster said last week he plans to be active for the team’s regular-season opener Sept. 9 at San Diego. If he takes the field, he’ll do so without recording a single carry during the preseason.

Foster, 26, acknowledged last week he was unsure whether he required preseason reps to be ready for a 17-week regular season.

“I’m not a huge fan of preseason,” Foster said. “But I feel like I’ll be ready for Sept. 9. I know game speed. I just have to get myself back and acclimated for football. But I’ll be fine.”

Reed’s status remains unclear

The Texans are nearing a Week 1 decision about veteran safety Ed Reed, 34, who was scheduled to visit his surgeon and receive injections in his hip Monday in Vail, Colo.

With the regular-season opener at San Diego on Sept. 9, the Texans believe they’ll have a better indication about Reed’s status later this week.

“The question is, is he going to be ready right off the get-go?” coach Gary Kubiak said. “That’s something that’s got to get sorted out here pretty quickly. But you’ve got to understand our approach. Our whole training camp has been without him, so the team’s not going to panic.”

Yates, Keenum to wage battle

One key position battle remains for the Texans, and it has nothing to do with who’ll start against the Chargers on Sept. 9.

T.J. Yates and Case Keenum are expected to split time at quarterback Thursday against the Cowboys, giving the Texans a final look at both before the team decides which QB will back up Matt Schaub.

Schaub won’t play in Arlington, joining running back Arian Foster as Texans who aren’t expected to take another game snap until the team faces San Diego.

Yates followed Schaub on Sunday during the Texans’ home loss to New Orleans. Keenum held the No. 2 role during a preseason win over Miami.

Yates is 27-of-39 for 308 yards, three touchdowns and a 118.3 QB rating through three contests. Keenum, a former University of Houston standout, is 34-of-50 for 354 yards, two TDs and a 101.6 rating. Neither has thrown an interception; Yates holds statistical edges in completion percentage and yards per attempt.

“They’ll both play a half of football going into this one,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “Obviously, they’re going to be playing with a bunch of young players, but I think it’s been extremely close. It would be hard to make a decision today. But if I would have to make one, I’d make one.”

Odds and ends

Receiver DeVier Posey could return to action against the Cowboys. He hasn’t played since rupturing his left Achilles tendon Jan. 13 during an AFC divisional-round loss at New England. … Jared Crick started at defensive end for J.J. Watt on Sunday against the Saints and is the lead candidate to replace a suspended Antonio Smith against the Chargers. … Coach Gary Kubiak said linebacker Brian Cushing’s confidence is “sky high” with Week 1 approaching. … Tight end Garrett Graham (hip pointer) might not be available against the Cowboys. … Linebacker Mike Mohamed and nose tackle Chris Jones are expected to return to action this week. … Linebacker Whitney Mercilus is expected to return to practice Tuesday.